Goodwood selections Friday 29th July
We are already up to day four at Goodwood and we have two of the best handicaps to look forward to all week this afternoon. One of the longest races in the calendar kicks us off and then we have the Golden Mile to look forward to. I have two against the field in each plus a best bet for the classiest race on the card, and quickest race all week – the King George Stakes. Heia kept us ticking over with a placed effort for the each-way bet yesterday (advised 20/1)
Goodwood 1.50: Make My Day & Super Superjack
The race that starts and finishes in the same place gets us underway as the 15 runners wind their way around Goodwood over 2m4f.
MAKE MY DAY represents local trainer Gary Moore and this race will have no doubt been a long term target for the 6yo. He could never really get involved from a wider than ideal draw at Royal Ascot, but he has a win and a second place to his name from two starts here and has plenty in his favour.
Progressive for Ralph Beckett back in 2020, he did not really take to hurdling in the winter, but has bounced back to form this summer. He chased home Super Superjack (more of him in a moment) at Ascot, and then Black Kalanisi over 2m here last month. On both occasions he shaped as if a stiffer test of stamina would suit and he certainly gets that over this marathon trip today.
However preference would be for SUPER SUPERJACK who looked extremely moderate until thriving once stepped up in distance. He won three times around Bath last season, the latter coming over 2m1f. He then improved dramatically again to win that race here back in April, following up under a penalty a few days later at Ascot.
He came from too far back when second next time at York, whilst the 14f at Salisbury was not sufficient enough a test of stamina for him last time. There has been plenty of support for this 5yo and I can see further improvement at this first attempt at a distance so far.
Goodwood 3.00: Only for You & Eilean Dubh
Whilst it is easy to make a case for Noble Dynasty, he looks plenty short enough for a race of this type, especially as he seems to run best when fresh and comes here quite quickly off a win at Newmarket’s July meeting.
Therefore ONLY FOR YOU makes plenty of appeal from the inside stall. This ex Dermot Weld inmate has been running nicely into form for his new yard and is the choice of Danny Tudhope from six raiders from the David O’Meara yard. He was not knocked about when second at York last week and can race off a 3lb lower mark today as a result of this being an early closing race.
That rise in the weights came from a fine run back at York earlier this month when chasing home Eilean Dubh, and he seemed to benefit more from waiting tactics having tried to front run at Sandown previously. He looks to have his quirks, but then this sort of race on this type of track might just fit him perfectly.
EILEAN DUBH though could again prove tough to pass on just 3lbs worse terms with my other selection. He showed little in his native France but has been transformed since joining the in-form Karl Burke team this year.
A preference for fast ground has helped and this enthusiastic racer should be suited by a sharp mile. He already has a comfortable win at Hamilton to his name which suggest he should handle this similar track very well.
Goodwood 3.35: Lazuli
A Group 2 win at Meydan this winter means LAZULI has to give weight away to all his rivals, but he simply looks to be the fastest horse in the race and therefore should have the class to cope.
He ran for the first time since Meydan when in midfield in the Kings Stand at Royal Ascot, but Group 2 looks more his level and he showed when winning the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket last year that this horse has speed to burn.
That should set him up for a big run on this downland track and with a preference for fast ground, conditions are perfect today. Stall nine ought to be no issue and I don’t think this race is as good as a typical renewal of this contest.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Make My Day – 1.50 Goodwood – 12/1 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt win – Super Superjack – 1.50 Goodwood – 7/2 general
1pt each-way – Only For You – 3.00 Goodwood – 9/1 Paddy Power (1/5 odds 1st 6)
1pt each-way – Eilean Dubh – 3.00 Goodwood – 14/1 Bet365, Paddy Power (1/5 odds 1st 6)
1pt each-way – Lazuli – 3.35 Goodwood – 7/1 Skybet (1/5 odds 1st 4)
